Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Letter 1

To Mrs. Saville (Mrs Margaret Saville, Walton's sister in England, to whom he writes), England.

St. Petersburgh (the Russian capital, where Walton's letters begin), Dec. 11th, 17—.

You will rejoice (to be glad) to hear that no disaster (a great misfortune) has accompanied (to go along with) the commencement (a beginning) of an enterprise (a bold undertaking) which you have regarded (to look upon; respect) with such evil forebodings (a dark feeling of what is coming). I arrived (to come) here yesterday, and my first task is to assure (to promise; make sure) my dear sister of my welfare (well-being) and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking (a task taken on).

I am already far north of London, and as I walk in the streets of Petersburgh, I feel a cold northern breeze (a light wind) play upon my cheeks (the side of the face), which braces (to steady; a supporting pair) my nerves (the body's feeling thread; courage) and fills me with delight (great pleasure). Do you understand this feeling? This breeze (a light wind), which has travelled from the regions towards which I am advancing, gives me a foretaste (a taste of what is coming) of those icy (cold as ice) climes (lands; regions). Inspirited (filled with fresh spirit) by this wind of promise, my daydreams (a waking dream) become more fervent (burning with feeling) and vivid (bright and living). I try in vain (useless; empty-proud) to be persuaded (to win over by words) that the pole (a long rod; the earth's end point) is the seat of frost (frozen dew) and desolation (ruined emptiness); it ever presents itself to my imagination (the picture-making mind) as the region of beauty and delight (great pleasure). There, Margaret, the sun is for ever visible (able to be seen), its broad disk (a flat circle) just skirting (a woman's hanging garment; to pass along the edge) the horizon (where sky meets land) and diffusing (to spread widely) a perpetual (never ending) splendour (grand beauty). There—for with your leave, my sister, I will put some trust in preceding (to come before) navigators (navigators: those who steer a course at sea)—there snow and frost (frozen dew) are banished (to drive out; exile); and, sailing (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) over a calm sea, we may be wafted (carried lightly on the air) to a land surpassing (to go beyond) in wonders and in beauty every region hitherto (up to now) discovered (to find out) on the habitable (fit to live in) globe (a round ball; the earth). Its productions and features may be without example, as the phenomena (things that appear to the senses) of the heavenly (of heaven) bodies undoubtedly (without doubt) are in those undiscovered (not yet found) solitudes (being alone). What may not be expected in a country of eternal (without end) light? I may there discover (to find out) the wondrous (full of wonder; amazing) power which attracts (to draw toward) the needle (the sewing spike) and may regulate (to order by rule) a thousand celestial (of the sky or heaven) observations (careful watching; a remark) that require only this voyage (a journey) to render (to give; to make) their seeming eccentricities (odd, peculiar behavior) consistent (holding together) for ever. I shall satiate (satiated: fully glutted) my ardent (burning with eagerness) curiosity (eagerness to know) with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread (to step; a step's sound) a land never before imprinted (a pressed mark) by the foot of man. These are my enticements (enticements: lures), and they are sufficient (enough) to conquer (to overcome by force) all fear of danger or death and to induce (to lead into; bring about) me to commence (to begin) this laborious (needing hard toil) voyage (a journey) with the joy a child feels when he embarks (to go aboard) in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition (a journey with a purpose) of discovery (a finding out) up his native river. But supposing all these conjectures (a guess) to be false, you cannot contest the inestimable (beyond valuing) benefit which I shall confer (to grant; bestow) on all mankind (the human race), to the last generation, by discovering (to find out) a passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here) near the pole (a long rod; the earth's end point) to those countries, to reach which at present so many months are requisite (required); or by ascertaining (to find out for certain) the secret of the magnet (the stone that draws iron), which, if at all possible, can only be effected by an undertaking (a task taken on) such as mine.

These reflections (a thrown-back image; thought) have dispelled (driven away) the agitation (troubled excitement) with which I began my letter, and I feel my heart glow (a soft warm light) with an enthusiasm (burning eagerness) which elevates (to raise up) me to heaven, for nothing contributes (to give a share) so much to tranquillise (to calm) the mind as a steady (firm and even) purpose—a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual (of the thinking mind) eye. This expedition (a journey with a purpose) has been the favourite dream of my early years. I have read with ardour (burning eagerness) the accounts of the various voyages (a journey) which have been made in the prospect (the view ahead) of arriving (to come) at the North Pacific Ocean through the seas which surround (to close in on every side) the pole (a long rod; the earth's end point). You may remember that a history of all the voyages (a journey) made for purposes of discovery (a finding out) composed (to put together; to calm) the whole of our good Uncle (a parent's brother) Thomas’ library. My education was neglected (to leave uncared for), yet I was passionately (with burning passion) fond (loving) of reading. These volumes were my study day and night, and my familiarity (easy closeness) with them increased that regret (sorrow over what is done) which I had felt, as a child, on learning that my father’s dying injunction (a solemn command) had forbidden (to order not to) my uncle (a parent's brother) to allow me to embark (to go aboard) in a seafaring (sailing the sea for a living) life.

These visions faded (to lose color and strength) when I perused (perused: read through), for the first time, those poets (a maker of poems) whose effusions (effusions: outpourings) entranced (the way in) my soul and lifted it to heaven. I also became a poet (a maker of poems) and for one year lived in a paradise (heaven; a place of perfect happiness) of my own creation; I imagined that I also might obtain (to get) a niche (a wall hollow) in the temple (a house of worship; the head's side) where the names of Homer and Shakespeare are consecrated (consecrated: made sacred). You are well acquainted (knowing; familiar with) with my failure and how heavily I bore the disappointment (a failed hope). But just at that time I inherited (to receive from one's fathers) the fortune (wealth; luck) of my cousin (an uncle's or aunt's child), and my thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent (curved; determined on).

Six years have passed since I resolved (to decide firmly) on my present undertaking (a task taken on). I can, even now, remember the hour from which I dedicated myself to this great enterprise (a bold undertaking). I commenced (to begin) by inuring (inuring: hardening by use) my body to hardship (hard suffering). I accompanied (to go along with) the whale-fishers (whalers) on several expeditions (a journey with a purpose) to the North Sea; I voluntarily (of one's own free will) endured (to bear; to last) cold, famine (starvation of a land), thirst (the need to drink), and want of sleep; I often worked harder than the common sailors (a seaman) during the day and devoted (to give wholly to) my nights to the study of mathematics (of mathematics), the theory of medicine, and those branches of physical science from which a naval (of the fleet) adventurer (one who seeks adventure) might derive (to draw from a source) the greatest practical (fit for use) advantage. Twice I actually hired (to engage for pay) myself as an under-mate (an officer under the mate) in a Greenland whaler (a whale-hunting ship), and acquitted (to clear of a charge) myself to admiration (wondering approval). I must own I felt a little proud when my captain offered me the second dignity (noble worth) in the vessel (a container; a ship) and entreated (to beg earnestly) me to remain with the greatest earnestness (deep seriousness), so valuable did he consider my services.

And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish (to carry through) some great purpose? My life might have been passed in ease (comfort; freedom from effort) and luxury (costly comfort), but I preferred glory (shining honor) to every enticement (enticements: lures) that wealth placed in my path. Oh, that some encouraging (to give heart to) voice would answer in the affirmative (saying yes)! My courage (bravery) and my resolution is firm; but my hopes (things hoped for) fluctuate (to keep changing back and forth), and my spirits are often depressed (cast down). I am about to proceed (to go on) on a long and difficult voyage (a journey), the emergencies of which will demand all my fortitude (courage under suffering): I am required not only to raise the spirits of others, but sometimes to sustain (to hold up; to suffer) my own, when theirs (belonging to them) are failing.

This is the most favourable (helpful; in one's favour) period for travelling in Russia. They fly quickly over the snow in their sledges (a sled drawn over snow); the motion is pleasant (pleasing), and, in my opinion, far more agreeable (pleasant) than that of an English stagecoach (the public passenger coach). The cold is not excessive (too much), if you are wrapped (to fold a covering around) in furs (an animal's soft coat)—a dress which I have already adopted, for there is a great difference between walking the deck (a ship's floor) and remaining seated motionless (without motion) for hours, when no exercise prevents the blood from actually freezing (to turn to ice) in your veins (a blood channel; a streak). I have no ambition (hunger for greatness) to lose my life on the post-road (the main road of the mail coaches) between St. Petersburgh and Archangel.

I shall depart (to go away) for the latter town in a fortnight (two weeks) or three weeks; and my intention (what one means to do) is to hire (to engage for pay) a ship there, which can easily be done by paying the insurance for the owner, and to engage (to bind; to begin battle) as many sailors (a seaman) as I think necessary among those who are accustomed (used to) to the whale-fishing (the hunting of whales). I do not intend (to have in mind) to sail (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) until the month of June; and when shall I return? Ah, dear sister, how can I answer this question? If I succeed (to follow; to prosper), many, many months, perhaps years, will pass before you and I may meet. If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never.

Farewell (goodbye), my dear, excellent Margaret. Heaven shower down blessings (God's favor called down) on you, and save me, that I may again and again testify (to bear witness) my gratitude (thankfulness) for all your love and kindness (kind goodness).

Your affectionate (full of warm love) brother,

R. Walton